Replying To CarlowJuniorB:  "Very optimistic view of Gannon at the moment. Had one run with Eire Og juniors and over in Athy now. Bit much to put him as the next great successor to Joe."

Replying To sportingplay:  "I agree with a lot of what has been said above regarding the players and the successes of previous years. We've had some incredible servants over the last number of seasons and probably the best hurling team we've ever put out. I have huge admiration for that group and what they've achieved.

That said, this has been a very tough league campaign and, even with the players we have at our disposal, it has been hugely disappointing. Antrim, Down and Kildare are teams I would expect us to beat or at least compete strongly with nine times out of ten.

Antrim are currently at a low point and that was a game we should have won. All credit to Kildare - they are flying at the moment. Hopefully they can sustain that level of performance for their Leinster campaign and into next year. It would be great to see them pushing on and adding to the competitiveness of the Leinster Championship.

Wexford are also at a low point. There was a huge opportunity there to beat them. Yes, we stayed with them for large parts of the game, but in reality it was still a poor performance against a woeful Wexford team.

Looking more broadly, I see what's happening in other counties: the work being done at underage level, the structures in place, and the standards of training being brought to adult teams. Granted I'm not at the coalface, but I simply don't see that same level being applied in Carlow.

The old adage that "we train every bit as hard as the top teams" does not really apply! This isn't a criticism of the players - players do what they're asked to do and I would never question their commitment. But the supports and structures around them are not there!

I would also have serious concerns about our management and backroom team selections at adult level. There is genuine talent within the county in terms of modern, up-to-date hurling coaches and S&C coaches, yet I don't see any of them involved with our county teams.

On a positive note, I was delighted to see a homegrown management team appointed for the minors. Hopefully they are given the space and the supports needed to develop and build something long term."

Replying To Blackbog:  "Of course it's optimistic
Managers have to start somewhere and hopefully Joe will stay in post for a few years yet
My Point about Sean Gannon is that in time he may be the man to step
I would not rule out Barry Hayes or even Daniel St Ledger as two other Carlow men who could lead our footballers I the future.
I know what Gannon gave as a footballer and I am fairly optimistic he will make a good county manager in time
I said in time, not now."

Replying To CarlowJuniorB:  "No St. Mullins side in the football league matches. Are they fielding at all this year? Heard a while ago that the Blues aren't Junior A still because they aren't fielding a side."

Replying To more4me:  "Would Nolan in the fighting Cocks not be in a conversation in the future? Any lad that can get a Carlow team to a Leinster final should have merit in discussions shouldnt they, young coach too so could easily be in the mix further down the line"

Replying To Onion Breath:  "St Mullins never enter the football league though, or haven't in years. They just enter the championship. Maybe not even that this year if what you heard is true."

Replying To CarlowJuniorB:  "Ah couldn't remember if they had the last few years. But I had heard a while back that they weren't fielding any team in the championship so the Blues won't get relegated to junior B."

Replying To Onion Breath:  "With the change away from the split season where football was coming second i assume SM decided they can't be bothered with football now which they see as a bit of end of season craic and they won't be letting it interfere with hurling in any way.

Saves the blues from relegation but tbh that's probably no harm as with Lee Walker back they'd surely run away with Junior B if in it."